Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh, a 27-year-old Palestinian journalist, has become the de facto editor-in-chief of a massive Muslim media presence, @Muslim, boasting over 12 million followers across platforms. What started as a way to counter the effects of Donald Trump's Muslim ban has evolved into a global news and community hub, often operating on the front lines of crucial geopolitical events.
Al-Khatahtbeh's journey began during his time at Rutgers University, witnessing firsthand the impact of the travel ban on his Yemeni and Iranian roommates. Frustrated by the lack of suitable outlets to share information within the Muslim community, he decided to create his own. He launched @Muslim on February 15, 2019, leveraging his experience in social media and a desire to cover news from a Muslim-centered perspective in a digestible and shareable format.
The platform's growth accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during the lockdown Ramadan and Eid. With people spending more time online, @Muslim became a vital space for connection and celebration. By graduation in 2020, the account had garnered 250,000 followers, signaling a significant demand for its unique content. Initially, the content blended trending topics and Muslim memes with sharp conversations on issues like modest fashion and representation, offering a refreshing, Gen Z-centric view.
However, as @Muslim's audience expanded globally, Al-Khatahtbeh had to navigate evolving community standards and the increasing gravity of world events. The platform shifted its focus significantly following October 7th, prioritizing coverage of Palestine, Sudan, Lebanon, and Syria. This pivot, while challenging, has been crucial, as @Muslim often provides information not covered by mainstream media, building immense trust with its audience. The follower count on Instagram more than doubled from 2 million to nearly 7 million during this period.
Managing such a large and diverse community, which he segments into traditional Muslims, cultural Muslims, and non-Muslims seeking reliable information, requires constant vigilance. Al-Khatahtbeh dedicates an average of 13 hours daily to his phone, ensuring he stays informed and curates content effectively. The platform, run primarily by him and a small team, operates with a "scrappy" approach, relying on a network of contractors.
Despite its success, @Muslim faces significant pressures, including the risk of deplatforming. The account has been restricted in India under a legal order, a move that significantly impacted its growth, and is also restricted in Canada. Al-Khatahtbeh highlights the lack of transparency and appeal processes for such restrictions, particularly in India, where he has no jurisdiction and the reason for the ban remains unclear despite no direct content related to India. This situation poses a dangerous precedent for online censorship, affecting millions of Muslims' access to information.
